Honestly, it’s a little selfish to keep assets tied up when the family needs capital.”

The room spun. Ice water rushed through my veins, then boiled into white-hot fury.

I gripped my left hand with my right, my knuckles going bone-white over the diamond.

“It stays with me,” I said. My voice no longer trembled. It was steady. Low and even.

Austin scoffed and threw his hands up.

“Fine. Be a martyr about a piece of carbon. We don’t have time for this drama — our flight boards in two hours. Just keep those cages clean. We expect the house in perfect condition when we get back. Happy birthday, by the way.”